From big predator interactions and denning wild dogs to dramatic buffalo hunts, impressive cheetah sightings, and the spectacle of the floods returning—July proved to be a highly productive and memorable month across the Dinare Concession.
Because Dinare means buffalo
Large herds of buffalo were a near-daily feature across the concession, particularly around the Gomoti River and along Impala Road. These herds drew the attention of multiple lion prides, including Tee’s Pride, the Santawani Pride, and resident females based near Mma Dinare. Tracking teams were able to follow spoor and fresh signs of movement, with successful pursuits often leading to sightings of lionesses feeding on warthog piglets or bringing down young buffalo. Towards mid-month, Tee’s Pride was observed feeding on buffalo calves before moving off to drier ground as the floodwaters advanced. Meanwhile, the Santawani Pride made several nocturnal incursions into the territory of the Mma Dinare lions, only to retreat by sunrise—likely due to the strength of the resident coalition. Male lion sightings were sporadic, but the River Boys and Gomoti males were encountered on several occasions.
Leopard activity picked up towards the latter half of the month. Initially, their movements had been constrained by lion presence, but as the larger predators moved out of certain areas, sightings of both territorial and transient leopards increased. The territorial male known as Rralebodu was spotted between the camps, along with a resident female and her subadult cub. One particularly memorable sighting took place at Matshwane Pan, where a leopard was seen with an impala kill hoisted high in a dead tree. During the sighting, a pack of four wild dogs attempted to intimidate the leopard by leaping at the base of the tree, but the cat remained unmoved, holding its ground until guests departed for brunch.
Following the Signs – and Finding the Action
African wild dog activity remained a major highlight throughout July. Two known packs were active in the area: the larger pack, now numbering over 40 individuals including fourteen newly added pups, was seen regularly around their second den. A second, smaller pack of four adults with three pups—thought to have denned unusually early in April—was also frequently sighted. Tracking teams spent dedicated time locating both packs, following tracks and signs. On one particularly rewarding morning, wild dogs were seen actively feeding on an impala kill after a long tracking session from Mma Dinare’s main road toward Impala Road.
Cheetah sightings were consistently rewarding, thanks to the extended presence of the well-known coalition of four male brothers. These males shifted their movements in July, remaining in the concession for longer periods rather than crossing swiftly into Moremi Game Reserve. This allowed for repeated sightings across consecutive days, with one morning producing an exceptional count of eleven cheetahs in a single drive. Their behaviour was closely monitored by guides, with their territory-marking habits and hunting movements offering fantastic opportunities for observation.
Hyenas were notably more active this month than in previous periods. Both brown and spotted hyenas were encountered regularly, often on night drives. A special sighting involved a brown hyena relocating her pups across a floodplain during a morning drive, seen carrying a pup gently in her mouth. On another occasion, six hyenas were observed near the Gomoti River attempting to ambush a group of zebras.
Large elephant herds were seen regularly until the final week of July, when their numbers temporarily declined. Guests enjoyed reliable sightings of zebra, kudu, giraffe, tsessebe, impala, and large numbers of wildebeest. Along the riverine edges and flooded zones, red lechwe and reedbuck were also frequently seen. A special moment for many guests was observing a breeding herd of elephants cross the Gomoti River while on a mokoro excursion. During a guided walk, another group encountered over thirty elephants moving as a unit through the open woodland.
Birds in the sky, tracks in the sand and stars in the skies
Birdlife flourished with the onset of flooding. The area attracted a wide range of species, including western ospreys, African hawk eagles, bateleurs, marabou storks, and numerous vultures. Waterbird diversity increased along the floodplains, with sightings of herons, egrets, geese, and storks becoming more common. Giant kingfishers, typically less frequent, were observed more regularly than usual. Some guides estimated that up to 350 bird species could be recorded over just two days in the Rra Dinare area alone.
Smaller mammals, although elusive, were recorded throughout the month. Springhares and scrub hares were often seen during night drives, alongside civets and genets. A memorable sighting included a young leopard cub stalking and successfully killing a dwarf mongoose near Nxaraga Pan. Jackal sightings were consistent, with black-backed jackals more frequently seen than side-striped.
Reptiles were less active due to cooler temperatures but still visible. Large crocodiles basked along the riverbanks, occasionally seen near camp. Water monitors, puff adders, and African pythons were noted at various times, with the occasional sighting of a striped-bellied sand snake.
As the month progressed, the floodwaters altered much of the terrain, filling up roads, channels, and pans—especially southeast of Mma Dinare. This influx of water reshaped wildlife movement and brought a renewed sense of vibrancy to the concession. Vegetation began to green again near the water’s edge, although most trees remained bare. Stargazing remained exceptional throughout the month thanks to clear winter skies, with guests regularly enjoying views of constellations such as Orion, the Southern Cross, and Scorpio rising later.
